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Do or Don't: Black nail polish

The other day, I was watching the (surprisingly funny) show New Girl, and the gorgeous character Julia was wearing black nail polish. Instead of looking goth, her black polish looked grown-up and sexy. Since then, black nail polish has been popping up everywhere: pretty girls around town, celebrities at events, even the finalists on The Bachelor. :) What do you think? Would you wear it?

When I see black I think "Kardashian" ... the entire family has been using it for the run of their many series. But I did notice Kristin Wiig wearing it on SNL a week or so ago. (A rarity since it has to work for all of her characters during an episode). Anyway -- I'm currently sporting black on my toes so I guess I'm not immune despite the somewhat tawdry inspiration.

I love wearing black polish. It think it does just the trick to spice up a night out on the town outfit. Especially if you've got some great accessories. The only thing that sucks is when it starts to chip because it starts to have a "Sharpie" feel to it, if you know what I mean. --Jeswww.twosmuppies.com

Yes/Always! I love dark nails, esp since I keep mine so short (mostly yes, to type faster) but it's such a "dont you dare mess with me" color...Don't you always feel a bit vulnerable with pretty pink nails?(speaking of the bach, the world vulnerable was said so many times this week, eh?)

I love dark nail polish; however, I work in a conservative industry so I find myself rockin' it on the weekends. I did see an overcoat of a multi-color glitter over black that I loved not so long ago that I've been dying to try.

OPIs lincoln park after dark is almost black but way softer. i find black on my (borderline translucent) skin in winter is a little harsh but the super dark warm plum gets it done without making me look like a corpse.

I've been wearing black nail polish for over a year now. I agree with those that said to go with a darker purple. I wear OPI's Linkin Park at Midnight and it's black, but it has just this hint of purple. It looks more flattering on my nails than just plain black.

Also, like someone said, keep your nails short when you do this look! Shorter and squared nails.

i'm gonna be honest... i haven't stopped wearing it. it is my go-to color for the past 7 or so years. I also have really dark grays. But black goes with everything, and is really classy i think. I even wore it in a friends wedding.

I think black nail polish has come a long way...definitely not the same stereotype it used to be! I love it!! It also I think depends on the outfit your wearing if you pull it off. If you wear mostly pink...skip the black! =P

I love black nail polish. I don't wear it a lot, but I think it can be a fun and chic change from deep purple or blue (my usual colors). I also tend to keep my nails very short, which I think keeps the black polish from looking too goth.

i think that the dark chocolate cherry color is one of my faves but my husband hates it! right now, i wouldn't go black with the nails since i'm trying to channel springtime - even a flower crown tutorial on my blog today!

OPI's Black Onyx is a true black and Black Pearl is a dark shimmery black, almost like a gun metal, other good choices are both the Lincoln Parks as previously mentioned, Russian Navy, and Give me Moor!, all by OPI.

I love black nail polish, but as a lawyer (much like the lizzie caplan's new girl character) it is totally unacceptable at work. I laughed when I saw New Girl last week because there's no way that black polish would be big law attorney friendly, but it looked damn good on tv.

I think it depends on what you're wearing, a shiny new black manicure can look chic with a little black dress and heels... but one chipped nail with jeans and a tee can look too messy. Definitely a high maintenance colour! I'd rather a deep, dark burgundy red.

I think Lizzy Caplan/New Girl's wearing more of a vamp color, like Essie's Wicked (one of my favorites). And other than Lincoln Park After Dark, I recommend dark blue (I like Sally Hansen's Navy Baby or Butter London's Royal Navy Lacquer). I also randomly like a new Revlon black nail color w/ purple glitter (Facets of Fuschia). :)

I say DO! I think black nail polish can be very sophisticated, but it is still very associated with the "goth" look. I wore it one time to work and my boss commented asking if I was "goth or something".

I used to wear it all the time, but I don't seem to wear as much these days. I tend to go for rouge noir, navy or dark grey colours. I think it can look very chic on short nails. In fact...this post has persuaded me to paint them black tonight. x

i've been wearing it on my fingers for years, but if you're timid, try it on your toes first! my long-time favorites are OPI lincoln park after dark (a deep blackish purple) and annny of the chanel blacks. i always think it looks especially cute balanced with pretty, pastel sundresses.

had to check the date on this post...i think black nail polish has been around and going strong for the last 5-10 years (maybe more). it goes away a bit during the summer, but every winter super dark polishes are back, black being no exception. i think black is a standard neutral now that you can't go wrong with as long as your nails are short and VERY well manicured (immaculate polish application is a must).

I love black nails. I keep mine really short so I wear dark polish continuously. It makes me feel more feminine! Black is my favorite, although I have a dark dark brown, navy, charcoal grey and a little brighter royal blue.

I am a huge fan of nude nail polish try and stick to stick to it as much as possible (unless I do a no-chip, which isn't often) since I find that it doesn't show as quickly when my manicure chips...which is always within 24 hours grrr...

i love black nail polish. i don't wear nail polish often, but when i feel bold, then i'll wear black. i think one way to class it up a bit and not make it look goth-like, is to choose a black with a bit of glitter in it.

i love black! i wear a lot of bright colors, so it tones down my outfits a lot (plus, black matches with EVERYTHING!)

i live in Brazil, where everyone is nail obsessed, so there are too many colors to choose from, and a personal favorite of mine is a black that isn't too bright - it's classier than something that's shiny and costumy http://loucasporesmalte.com.br/imagens/2011/03/LPE-preto-risfosco.jpg

ps - also watch New Girl religiously! How much of a crush do you have on Nick!?

I personally have large nails (sounds weird..I'm not a freak). I prefer a really dark purple or blue to black. Black is just a bit too much for me. I HAVE seen some awesome black MATTE nail polish. I think that would be interesting to try!

Love it! I think it's a great way to add a little edge and sexiness to any look. Sometimes, I paint all but one nail (usually the ring fingers) black, and then add some sparkle or something to the non black nail.

yes absolutely! I love how Julia uses a subtle dark color instead of black! from afar it looks black but close up you see a shadow of red. My choice is wicked by essie and a high gloss over it! Perfect with wool sweaters;)

OPI makes a great dark purple (can't recall the name) as well as a great dark blue (Russian Navy). Black isn't quite as gothic looking as it once did but I do prefer the dark colors over the straight black.

i'm a nail polish commitment-phobe, usually opting for pale and sheer, but sometimes you just can't resist a little russian navy or lincoln park after dark. i think russian navy looks super chic in matte also...and a matte base with shiny french tip looks pretty cool too for a party: http://kate-girl.tumblr.com/post/7759404617

It's a DO! OPI's Suzi Skies in the Pyrenees is a beautiful black polish with jelly finish so it's amazingly shiny. OPI's Road House Blues is very nice too but it's a dark blue. Essie also have plenty of dark-almost-black polish like Wicked and Little Brown Dress. Oh, and Zoya's Cynthia is an almost black too.

The lady who does my nails says dark colors look great on pale skin. So especially when it's winter, I prefer dark colors just to make some contrast :)I love black and use it quite a lot. The funny thing is that, I was using it when I was into heavy metal a lot more, now it's hip and I can even use it on the workdays at the office!

It's not for me. Why do black when you can do pretty, lovely things like corals and pinks and reds?! But I'm a girly girl. No doubt about it. Black seems like angsty goth teen. I don't mind the light greys, although they are somewhat joyless, no?

I own black nail polish. It looked surprisingly good on my once short finger nails. I haven't tried it since my nails grew out, but I have worn black lace nail stickers (the Sally Hansen ones), and I love them!

Big time DON'T! I've never liked this look. I think a very small window of women pull this off well. I agree with people bringing up the "emo teenager" look. Gag-association! And of course, the chipping is trashy.

I like dark polish that has a hidden shimmer. There are so many almost blacks that I probably wouldn't reach for black-black as my first choice! Unless I'm layering something over it, like a flaky polish :)

I've been doing it for many years. A few years ago I'd only doing when I was going out to a bar/club, but now I can pull it off at work. Agree with no chips and short nails. And also I have a dark purple and dark midnight blue/navy that looks just as awesome!

Also, you can tell that Eva Mendes either doesn't know how to cut her nails properly, or she chews them. eeks. Nails look much more elegant when they're the length in the last photo. Otherwise they look juvenile (circa 10th grade goth phase.)

I don't paint my fingernails, since I'm a painter and that always seems a little futile, but I think like with anything it depends what you pair it with. I think when the same actress played Janis in Mean Girls she wore black polish and it was a totally different look! If I WERE to wear dark polish though, I'd probably go navy or purple, something a little softer.

I am a serious nail polish enthusiast. I am one of the few actually enjoys the act of painting my nails, it's relaxing to me... most of my friends find it time-consuming and frustrating!

I love super shiny black nail polish. it's often my go-to for formal events, especially in the winter. It really complements my favorite cocktail rings, and makes my nails feel as dressed up as the rest of me.

If your nervous about taking the plunge and going for black, try my favorite color of all, which I call "secretly purple" (so dark, you can't even tell it's purple). The perfect secretly purple shade: Chanel Vendetta (a total splurge that I got for Christmas, and my absolute fave)

Oh for SURE. Goth is an attitude and entire style, and I don't think it gives off that vibe at all if you aren't goth.

I love my Essie black polish. I think it is so chic and elegant. I was thinking of doing a black/grey ombre. I also like to do black with one nail painted glitter with Deborah Lippman's Happy Birthday polish.

i feel like black has been glamorous and not goth like for a solid 5 years at least now. haha. i actually just painted mine black today for the first time in a while though! i like to thank ashlee simpson circa 2004 for my love of black nail polish.

Seeing dark colours on nails is the only time I wish I had short nails! I have long, narrow fingers and long nail beds, so even when my nails are cut short I find that dark colours can just be a bit much - it ends up looking a little goth. But I LOVE colours on my toes (it makes my feel feet more feminine) -- I usually go for reds and pinks but maybe next time I'll try a dark plum :)

it depends on the person, the situation... Eva Mendes looks great with everything, that's a fact... although I believe her neil polish in this photo is dark blue or purple... And her nails are to short for such a dark color. That's why I guess the last photo shows how great a black nail polish can work.Never wore it, but I would never say never ;-)

I've always meant to pick up a bottle of black, maybe I will now! It always reminds me of the goth phase a lot of girls went through when I was in high school but I did notice it coming back. I'll have to give it a go!

I love black nails! they are very in right now in Copenhagen! I was worried that I wouldn't like it, so I bought some very inexpensive polish at H&M. I posted a photo of mine if you are interested: http://travelingmama.net/?p=11260

After reading this post, I went straight to Target after work and picked up some Essie polish in Midnight Cami (a VERY dark navy) and I'm in love. I feel chic, which is hard to do as a engineer that sits in a cubical all day...lol

i love black nail polish! definite DO (on short nails). my favorites are OPI's Lincoln Park After Dark (a darker purple), my new favorite, Slick Slate by Sally Hansen (a slate gray/purple --- LOVE!), and just one of my many plain blacks. i like to think i started the trend back in my college days (at least amongst my teammates and friends).

Yes! Most definitely! I am a firm believer that dark colours on our nails can and do look very glamorous if your whole ensemble pulls it together. Personally it really makes me feel like a strong woman. I wore dark purple to my wedding ("Honk if you love OPI") with my lovely Pronovias dress ("Pasion") and it all was just lovely.